Walden NURS 6521 Asthma and Stepwise Management

Walden NURS 6521 Asthma and Stepwise Management

Asthma and Stepwise Management

Student’s Name:

Institutional Affiliation:

Objectives

• Brief discussion of Asthma and its symptoms.
• Description of options for treatment for quick-relief long-term control.
• Explanation of stepwise approach in treating and managing asthma.
• Explanation of benefits of the stepwise strategy for care providers and asthma patients.

Asthma

• Chronic illness severely impacting the airways.
• Results in airways swelling, narrowing and producing excessive mucus.
• As a consequence, breathing becomes difficult and wheezing and coughing is triggered.
• Condition varies from person to person.
• Can be minor nuisance or a severe effect interfering with daily activities.
• It cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed.

Long Term Controls

• Therapy’s goal involves controlling asthma through;

– Impairment reduction

– Reducing Risk

• Involves taking vital medications to keep asthma under control.
• Preventive medications used in treating airway inflammation that causes symptoms like coughing or breathlessness.
• Medications are used daily to eliminate or reduce asthma flair-ups.
• Examples include:

– Corticosteroids

– Immunomodulators,

– Methylxanthines, and

– Long acting beta agonists (Can et al., 2020).

Quick Relief

• Also referred to as rescue medications or inhalers.
• Utilized as needed for quick opening of airways to make breathing easier.
• The medications can aid in preventing impeding asthma attacks.
• Involves fast-acting medications like:

– Anticholinergics

– Short acting beta agonists.

Stepwise Approach

• Involves appropriate monitoring of medication utilized in controlling and managing asthma.
• Involves increasing or decreasing medications as necessary to achieve or maintain control.
• Applicable to all patients with asthma.
• It decreases morbidity and improves self-management.
• Includes six steps used in ensuring the best results are attained.

Benefits to Care Providers and Patients

• Patient empowerment and education
• Providers can control the environment around the asthma condition to manage it effectively.
• Reduction of exacerbations.
• Control of comorbidities and reduction of impairments.
• Guidance to providers on how to balance medications for the patient.

Conclusion

• Asthma is a chronic illness severely impacting the airways.
• Long-term control medications are the key to keeping your asthma controlled and in the green zone.
• Quick relief medications give fast relief for asthma symptoms and can prevent impeding asthma attacks
• Asthma management recommendations integrate various therapy components into a stepwise therapeutic approach where medications are adjusted for achievement and maintenance of control.
• The stepwise approach is beneficial to both care providers and patients in attaining control and management of asthma.

References

Blake, K., & Raissy, H. (2018). Asthma Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Where Are We Now?. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, 31(1), 37-39.

Can, C., Akkelle, E., Özdemir, P. G., Yazıcıoğlu, M., & Süt, N. (2020). Assessment of regular drug use and inhaler technique skills in asthmatic children. Allergologia et Immunopathologia, 48(2), 124-129.